World Cup Round of 32 Review: AFC Teams All Eliminated, Golden Boot Race Heats Up
Jul 4, 10:00 PM
On July 4, Beijing time, the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded its round of 32 stage. With Australia's elimination, all nine AFC teams have been knocked out. Meanwhile, stars like Messi, Mbappé, Kane, and Haaland scored in the round of 32, intensifying the Golden Boot race.
On July 4, Beijing time, the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico concluded its round of 32 stage. With Australia's elimination, all nine AFC teams have been knocked out, marking another early exit for Asian football. During the group stage, AFC teams showed some competitiveness, but in the knockout rounds, the gap in overall strength against European and South American powerhouses became evident. Traditional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia failed to advance past the round of 16, and Australia became the last AFC team to be eliminated, falling to a South American side in the round of 32.
In the round of 32, several top stars displayed excellent form, making the Golden Boot race increasingly fierce. Argentina's Lionel Messi scored a crucial goal in the round of 32 to help his team advance, currently leading the scoring chart with four goals. France's Kylian Mbappé also impressed, scoring a brace against Poland to bring his tally to three goals. England captain Harry Kane and Norway's Erling Haaland also found the net, with three and two goals respectively. Veterans like Brazil's Neymar and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo contributed with fine performances but have fewer goals so far.
The round of 32 saw several major upsets, with traditional powerhouses unexpectedly eliminated. Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium were knocked out in the group stage, while Spain and Italy fell in the round of 32. These surprises added suspense to the tournament and highlighted the shifting landscape of European football. Meanwhile, South American teams performed strongly, with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia all advancing to the round of 16, showcasing the depth of South American football. African teams also shone, with Morocco and Senegal breaking through to become the continent's hopes.
Tactically, the round of 32 displayed diverse trends. High pressing and fast counterattacks became mainstream, while possession was no longer the sole determinant of match outcomes. For example, Japan dominated possession but struggled to convert it into wins against physically stronger opponents. Australia relied on physicality and set pieces to achieve some results but ultimately fell short due to technical gaps. These phenomena indicate that modern football demands higher comprehensive qualities from players, and relying on a single strength is no longer sufficient.
With the round of 32 concluded, the round of 16 matchups are set. The top half features favorites like Argentina, France, and England, while the bottom half includes Brazil, Portugal, and Spain. A potential clash between Argentina and France is highly anticipated, as they played a classic final in the previous World Cup. The reunion of England and Germany also draws attention, given their historical rivalry. The round of 16 kicks off on July 5, with a denser schedule demanding greater physical and tactical adaptability from teams.
For AFC teams, the collective elimination in this World Cup serves as a wake-up call. Despite recent progress, Asian football still lags behind the world's elite. Going forward, Asian teams need to strengthen youth development, enhance players' competitiveness in top European leagues, and optimize tactical concepts to go further on the World Cup stage. Additionally, the AFC should promote the improvement of domestic leagues to provide players with more high-quality match opportunities.
The Golden Boot race will intensify in the round of 16. Messi, Mbappé, Kane, and other forwards all have a chance to claim the top scorer honor. Notably, the total number of goals in this World Cup has decreased compared to the previous edition, with defensive intensity increasing, posing greater challenges for strikers. Who will ultimately win the Golden Boot depends not only on individual ability but also on team performance. As the tournament progresses, the competition will become even more heated.
